FOR LIBERIA. – We learn from an Agent of the Colonization Society, now here, that a vessel will sail on the 20th Nov. from Wilmington, for Liberia, and that about 80 free colored people from this place and neighborhood, intend to take passage in her. – Fayetteville Observer.
Republican and Patriot (Goldsboro), 26 October 1852.
AUGUSTA, (GEORGIA) May 21st, 1837
To the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society;
GENTLEMEN, I have the honor to submit a brief report of my proceedings since I left Washington early in March, with such suggestions and reflections as may occur during the relation of the incidents and observations of my tour up to this date.
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North Carolina will stand forth a powerful and decided friend of the scheme of Colonization. … The Society of Friends in this State, early turned their thoughts to the plan of African Colonization, encouraged the free people of colour under their protection to emigrate to Liberia, and supplied a generous fund to defray the expenses of such as consented to remove thither. Several hundreds, once under the guardian care of this Society, are now enjoying the freedom and privileges of that Colony. There are still in North Carolina numerous free coloured persons of respectable intelligence and moral character. Those in Fayetteville, Elizabethtown, and Wilmington, have probably no superiors, among their own class, in the United States. After careful reflection, some have resolved to remove to Africa, and others are anxiously directing their thoughts to the subject. Louis Sheridan, with whose reputation and views the Board are partially acquainted, is a man of education, uncommon talents for business, a handsome property, and the master of nineteen slaves. His determination to emigrate to Liberia with a company of from forty to sixty of his relations and friends has already been announced. The public meetings held in Raleigh, during my visit, were well attended and of much interest, and addressed with spirit and effect by several of the citizens of that place. Collections were made for the benefit of the Society. The Resolutions adopted by the citizens of Raleigh are before the public.
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I have the honor to be, With great respect, Gentlemen, your obedient Servant,
R. R. [Ralph Randolph] GURLEY
Excerpt from Secretary’s Report, The African Repository and Colonial Journal 13, No. 7 (July 1837), pages 201-206.
A gentleman has just shown us a letter which he received a few days ago from Joseph Outlaw, a coloured man, in Liberia, who emigrated from this neighbourhood four or five years ago. From the begging tone of the epistle, we are inclined to think that comforts are not superabundant in the colony. Clothing, provision, farming utensils – in short, any thing or every thing is solicited, and solicited with an earnestness that shows they are really necessary. The writer lives at Millsburg, a settlement at the distance of twenty miles from Monrovia, the principal town of the colony, and cultivates his portion of land (ten acres) for the maintenance of himself, a wife, and seven children. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that the poor fellow’s letter should be almost wholly devoted to entreaty, and to the names of those from whom he hopes for assistance. As it contains no information beyond what may be gleaned from above, we notice it merely from a desire to promote poor Outlaw’s comforts, by acquainting his benevolent friends with his unenviable condition. – Newbern Spect.
Tarboro’ Press, 24 January 1835.
This North Carolina Highway Historical Marker, located northeast of Faison in Duplin County, commemorates Ezekiel Ezra Smith, educator, minister of the gospel, and United States minister to Liberia. Smith’s first wife was William Ann Burnett. For more on his life, see History of the American Negro and his Institutions, Volume 4, Arthur Bunyan Caldwell, ed.; and Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Volume 5, William S. Powell.
In the 1860 census of North Division, Duplin County: Cassy Smith, 45; her children Charlott, 25, Dorcas, 19, Rebecca, 16, Richard, 14, Mary G., 12, Ezekiel, 8, Theus, 4, and an infant, 2 months; plus Calvin Brock, 10, and Samuel Perlie, 35.
In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, Wm Burnett, 49, barber, and wife Cuzzy, 50. Next door: Dolly Burnett with daughters Polly, 12, Betsy, 5, and William An, 3. Next door to them: Solomon Finch, 28, barkeeper, wife Eliza [née Burnett], 27, seamstress, and children Georgianna, 10, and Thomas Russell Finch, 2.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 